arlin robins wrote:
>
> Hello, fellow romantics & masochists-
>
> As a first time Morgan owner I would love to have some
> advice/info/suggestions on the following:
>
> 1) Sources for Morganalia such as cloth & bullion embroidered
> Morgan wings and die-cast ("Matchbox" type) Morgans;
> 2) GOOD book(s) on Restoration/Repair;
> 3) Recommended methods for dealing with superficial (I hope)
> underbody (e.g. wings) and frame crossmember rust. Naval jelly &
> Rustoleum?
> 4) Retrofitting of bucket seats (maybe old TR-3, Alpine or ?) to
> replace my current/original bench seats.
> 5) The practicality/possibility of replacing the Moss box with a
> 5-speed transmission.
>
> I'm sure many of you have experience and insight in these areas,
> and I would very much appreciate hearing your opinions.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Michael Jhon '61 Plus 4 Roadster
> arlin@slip.netMichael-Welcome aboard!Some thoughts-
1)Many places for regalia-try Cantab Motors @540-338-2211,Isis
Imports@415-433-1344, Morgan Spares@518-789-3877, and there are many
others-check the database on the Morgan home page.For diecasts, really
nice ones like Vitesse 1/43 are about $30(Exoticar
Models,617-267-8368)or, I have even gotten Morgans (Majorette brand)for
$1.00 at K-Mart-not great models, but for a buck...
2)Best book IS Fred Sissons.$50 well spent.E-mail him at
FPS3@AOL.com and buy one now.There is some good advice in all Morgan
books-eventually, you'll probably wind up buying them all.Morgans are
like that.
3)I'd stick with wire brush,sandpaper, and maybe one of the new
super"paint over rust" formulations I always see advertised in Hemmings
Motor News (you should get this,also,if you aren't already-great wish
book)
4)I'm not much of a purist-I have the bench seat, and like it OK,
but get what YOU like.You'll drive it more, and enjoy it.Personally, I
like early TR2/TR3 or big Healey buckets, and think they look more
'period authentic' On the other hand, I personally know one guy who
installed GM six-way power operation under his Plus8 buckets.Pretty
comfortable,too.
5)Hmmm..I know someone in Detroit who replaced the Moss box in
his Plus 8 (No,not the above guy)with a 5-speed borg-warner out of a
Buick Skyhawk.Other than losing the handbrake(no place to mount it)it
drives like a dream, and the overdrive fifth gear is great on long
drives.Doesn't sound like a job for the fainthearted,though.AND-ALWAYS
KEEP YOUR OLD PARTS.Frankly, unless the old box is really shot, I'd
probably live with it and double-clutch.
You didn't indicate where you live, but I'd seek out the local
Morgan Club and join.Great source of advice, help, counsel, and
parts.Usually great social events, too.
Enjoy!
-Jeff Smith 1968 4/4
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